Friday, Aug. 30, 2013, a freshman Shepherd University student on crutches was robbed by two male suspects near Shaw Hall, according to campus Chief of Police John McAvoy.
The robbery occurred at approximately 4:20 p.m. Jason Sparks was on crutches at the time due to a recent injury. He had been walking across campus from an academic building to the Butcher Center. He was pushed to the ground while one held him down and another stole his wallet and his iPhone. The unknown attackers then fled toward the Butcher Center. The only identifying feature described was that both robbers were athletically built .
Chief McAvoy stated that $70 was stolen from Sparks’ wallet. He reportedly suffered no additional physical injuries from the attack.
Currently no witnesses have come forward or have been identified. The responding officer, Robert Seeders, contacted the victim’s family and through the use of an online iPhone tracking application they obtained an approximate location of the phone, but were unable to retrieve it. The wallet was found near McDonald’s.
A RAVE alert was issued to students the same day at approximately 4:25 p.m. The alert stated the time of the attack was 2:20 p.m., but Chief McAvoy reported that it actually occurred two hours later.
The alert also stated, “when pedestrians use their personal electronic devices while walking, they are distracted from what is happening around them and are at a greater risk.”
Sparks wasn’t reported to be using his phone at the time.
Karen Woodward, a swing manager at McDonald’s, stated that the victim’s family asked the staff of her restaurant if they had noticed anyone suspicious on or near the premises after the robbery. Karen indicated the staff had not reported any unusual activity. Additionally, the staff searched the area for the phone, but could not locate it.
Diana Everhart, a senior English major, expressed her thoughts regarding the robbery. She pointed to an assault which took place on campus during the previous academic year and felt the incident to be “more of the same.”
Vicky Faith, also a senior English major, stated she “had the impression [the] campus was safe” prior to becoming a student at Shepherd.
Campus police are following up with the incident and are asking anyone who has any information to contact them at 304-876-5202. Chief McAvoy said any witnesses who come forward will remain anonymous if desired.
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